NEW PRESIDENT: Broadcast union Bectu welcomed today the election of its Welsh official Sian Gale as Wales TUC president for 2024-25.

Ms Gale runs the Federation of Entertainment Union learning fund programme in Wales and is a longstanding member of the WTUC general council and equalities committee.

She will take over from Unite regional secretary Peter Hughes, who steps down after next year’s congress.

TROUBLED FINANCES: North Wales Police announced today they were considering a criminal investigation into a health board following alleged finance irregularities.

Detective chief superintendent Gareth Evans said: “We are aware of media reports regarding financial matters at Betsi Cadwaladr university health board and have also had concerns raised with us by individuals.

“We are liaising with colleagues in other agencies regarding enquiries already undertaken in order to make an assessment and will issue an update in due course.”

QUESTION TIME: Welsh Labour’s John Griffiths asked for an assessment of the education system in enabling social mobility at First Minister’s Questions.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said social class is the most significant factor where “families have to deal with the consequence of poverty.

“A lot of work is going on to try to make sure that we purpose our education system in a way that makes it attractive to those young men.”

SCHOOL MEALS: Minister for Education Jeremy Miles confirmed today that free school meals in the May half-term holiday will be available to children from lower-income families.

He also announced that eligible further education students will also receive the free meal provision during the half-term break.

The Welsh government estimate that 115,000 school learners are eligible to benefit from free meals.